Systemic Sustainability of the French Organic Rice and PGI Einkorn Value Chains: A Preliminary Assessment Based on Network Analysis

Abstract

Public authorities and consumers increasingly support food value chains that are more environmentally friendly. However, these value chains are faced with technical, economic and institutional limitations, calling into question their long-term viability. Based on two case studies of alternative food chains in France, namely einkorn (Triticum monococcum) in Haute Provence and organic rice in the Camargue, we evaluated their capacity to remain both viable and environmentally, economically and socially sustainable. After assessing the traditional economic, social and environmental performance of their sustainability, we performed a network analysis to determine the survivability of the systems. The combined use of the traditional pillars of sustainability and the network analysis forms what we term the systemic sustainability. Results suggest that the einkorn value chain is characterised by a high degree of centrality represented by a producers' association, although the systemic sustainability of the chain is reduced by its dependence on a leading processor. As for the organic rice value chain, centralised power is exerted by three companies embedded in a strong network of actors characterised by diversified connections. The paper concludes by highlighting the potential interest of conducting a network analysis to better determine the sustainability of food value chains.

Farm diversification efforts, (open) innovation networks and performance: what is the connection?

“…Attending at the lack of a clear operationalization of the concept of farm diversification, with the employment of different typologies and little consensuses on a single categorization scheme (Barbieri and Mahoney, 2009;Ferguson and Hansson, 2015), our study proposes an original framework that operationalises the farm diversification concept in conventional and unconventional terms, allowing to discriminate different profiles of farm diversification businesses. Furthermore, our work responds to recent calls for more quantitative studies about farm diversification (Garc ıa-Cornejo et al, 2020) and agricultural innovation networks (Qui edeville et al, 2018;Schoen, 2017) in unexplored contexts, conducting a survey in Portugal, a South Europe country with agricultural specificities. This study demonstrates that innovation networks, promoted by specialized agricultural advisors and R&D projects, are important forms of open innovation in the agricultural sector.…”

“…Furthermore, our work responds to recent calls for more quantitative studies about farm diversification (García-Cornejo et al. , 2020) and agricultural innovation networks (Quiédeville et al. , 2018; Schoen, 2017) in unexplored contexts, conducting a survey in Portugal, a South Europe country with agricultural specificities.…”

“…Considering that businesses in rural areas face many economic and social limitations, namely a lack of population, deficient infrastructures and poor access to resources (Meccheri and Pelloni, 2006), (open) innovation networks allow a firm to compensate for lack of size and resources through the connection to resources available in the network (Wright and Dana, 2003). Still, it is needed to understand how (open)innovation networks are related to farm diversification (Fadden and Gorman, 2016) as well as the environmental and FP of farms (Galliano and Siqueira, 2021; Hansen, 2015; Quiédeville et al. , 2018).…”

Influence of Demographic Characteristics, Rice Cultivation Methods, and Value Chain Attitude on Operational Efficiency of the Organic Rice Industry in Thailand

“…The concept of value chain [8] explains the value chain as an activity that occurs both internally and externally from the procurement of raw materials and processing to the delivery of goods and services [3]. More recently, value chain analysis studies have been conducted to contribute to the competitive advantage of [1], in line with the study by [9], which found that organic rice value chain is system-centered, with a variety of connections that link the process of centralized organic rice farmers as a strong network, resulting in sustainability influencing operational efficiency of the farmers. A similar study by [10] studied business strategy planning using value chain analysis, and it was found that value chains contribute to purchasing and management of materials, exports, infrastructure, marketing and sales, as well as services and other supports, considered as a great help in increasing the competitiveness of the organization.…”

Agriculture System Modeling to Increase Productivity and Production Through Sustainable Resource Management

“…Value chains contribute to resource management, marketing, sales, and other services, to increase the competitiveness of organizations (Straková et al, 2020). Integration between value chains and farmer operations can result in better operational efficiencies that enable farmers to enhance competitiveness (Quiédeville et al, 2018). Value chain analysis contributes to the advancement of competitive advantage for any given product (Ferdous & Ikeda, 2018).…”